‘We need to break the barriers that women face at rugby clubs’

Three winners of the Telegraph Media Group Honda Rugby Legacy Fund are proof of the transformation taking place in the women's game.

Beth Hampton, girls' coach at St Ives RFC, is boosting interest in rugby by expanding programs in schools and running engaging summer training camps.  Credit: Jude Edginton

At St Ives in Cornwall, where the girls’ section began in September 2024, the early signs are promising – 30 girls between the ages of seven and 14 now train weekly. But sustaining and growing that number across other age groups is the next challenge.

“Being part of [the winners’ event] has given us such a great chance to see other people that are in the same sort of situation as us,” says girls’ coach Beth Hampton. “Rugby is massive for our girls, but the unique challenge for us is our demographic. We don't have many in our catchment area. There are not many girls’ clubs either.”

St Ives will use the £1,000 grant for coaching in local schools, summer training camps and experiences such as coasteering or visiting Exeter Chiefs – all aimed at keeping girls interested in the game.

“The fund will help that wider outreach to local schools,” says Hampton. “It will really encourage us to bring more girls in, ensuring that they have a safe and fun environment to play their rugby.”

Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph, Thursday 7th August 2025

Writer: Nick Heath